Subpermafrost groundwater systems: Dealing with virtual reality while having virtually no data

► We discuss modeling approaches for data-limited systems. ► We compare three highly simplified models for a subpermafrost groundwater system. ► Despite the models’ contracting outcomes, we reject none. ► Instead we review these multiple outcomes within their associated simplifications. Studies on t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam) 2012-12, Vol.475, p.42-52
Main Authors: van der Ploeg, Martine J., Haldorsen, Sylvi, Leijnse, Anton, Heim, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arctic groundwater
Availability
axel-heiberg island
canada
Climate change
Dealing
Dynamical systems
Dynamics
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
fresh-water ecosystems
Groundwater
Hydrology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
mars
Mathematical models
north slope
Numerical modeling
Permafrost
spitsbergen
springs
svalbard
Thermal conditions
Virtual reality
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Summary:► We discuss modeling approaches for data-limited systems. ► We compare three highly simplified models for a subpermafrost groundwater system. ► Despite the models’ contracting outcomes, we reject none. ► Instead we review these multiple outcomes within their associated simplifications. Studies on the Earth’s hydrology in general thrive on abundant data, while data on certain groundwater systems are virtually absent as a result of their inaccessibility. This poses challenges for understanding and modeling such systems, yet modeling is often the only option to study them. When it comes to limited data availability, a simple model may have a better predictive performance than a complex model. In a case study of a subpermafrost groundwater system on Svalbard we applied three simplified models which do not cover all processes, and compared their outcomes. The results of all models were different and sometimes contrasting. By combining all model results within their associated assumptions we show how dynamic processes in data-limited subpermafrost groundwater systems can be interpreted. Using multiple interpretations of a system by making different assumptions can thus be used to understand processes in data limited groundwater systems. Our results also illuminate the fierce data scarcity of subpermafrost groundwater systems, and the necessity of resolving this.
ISSN:0022-1694
1879-2707
DOI:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.08.046